CHICAGO — A new class of more than 50 Chicago police recruits has been training for nearly a month without receiving a paycheck, according to the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). The union says the group, hired on May 16, should have received their first pay by May 27, but as of mid-June, no payment has been issued.
FOP President John Catanzara described the situation as unacceptable and warned it is already taking a toll on morale among the recruits.
“They were told they were going to be made whole. We are still waiting for corrections to be made. Everybody is making promises — nobody is getting anything done,” Catanzara told NBC Chicago.
Recruits Left Without Salary or Benefits — Some Considering Resignation
The union reports that not only have the recruits not been paid, but they also have no benefits, despite actively training and working in the department. One recruit, according to Catanzara, is considering resigning due to financial hardship, noting she has a special needs child and cannot continue without income.
“There’s one recruit who has contemplated resigning and going somewhere else for money,” Catanzara said.
Recruits Asked to Buy Uniforms for Officer Funeral With Their Own Money
Adding to the controversy, Catanzara also revealed that the recruits were recently told they would need to purchase their own uniforms and equipment to be in compliance ahead of the upcoming funeral for fallen Officer Krystal Rivera.
“The department, in its infinite wisdom, is having these soon-to-be officers purchase new equipment and uniforms so they will be in compliance at the expected funeral services next week,” the union leader said.
As of this report, no reimbursements have been confirmed.
City Response Still Pending
NBC 5 Chicago reached out to the Office of Mayor Brandon Johnson for comment, but the request was redirected to the Chicago Police Department’s News Affairs office, which then referred reporters to the Office of Budget and Management.
As of Thursday, no official response has been issued.
Do you believe Chicago is doing enough to support its new police recruits? Should unpaid labor and out-of-pocket expenses be acceptable for public safety workers?
Tell us what you think — and follow the ongoing developments in police staffing, city payroll, and union advocacy at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
